Will we be obedient to God when he wants to do his mighty works?
Law and Order
Advise and Consent
Forgive and forget
Hope and pray
Cats and dogs
Where is he going with this? Some word pairings just come up time and time again in our vernacular like they were peas and carrots. Here are two to add to the list: admit and invite. We need to remember these words when we need a miracle.
Miracle is a New Testament word. In the Old Testament, God did mighty acts. Different verbiage, same God. Today’s exploration prompts us to look for miracles or the mighty acts of God in our lives, but we need to consider some things that we should do first.
We need to admit that we need help. We can’t hide anything from God so we had just as well tell him that we need help. We need to admit this to him.
Next we need to ask God—to invite him—to help. We don’t need any fancy words, just genuine communication.
Next, we need to do a personal inventory of what we have. What has God already blessed us with.
Then we need to take a U-turn and go where God leads us. This is an act of faith. Most of us want God to get on board with what we want him to do, but he wants us to respond to his direction.
Next, we need to bless others. Wait a minute; I’m the one in need of help here! That’s right, now go bless someone else. God blessed us with whatever we have to be a blessing to others.
Then expect a miracle. No, Oral Roberts did not trademark that phrase.
Consider these steps as you read the story below.
The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side."
She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."
But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
2 Kings 4:1-7 NIV
God wants to do mighty acts in our lives. He is not through being intimately involved with this world—especially with the first fruits of his creation.
Let’s look at today’s make it count moments as well as the make it last for life challenges.
1. How difficult is it for you to admit your needs?
2. What are the three greatest needs in your life right now?
3. Who knows about them?
4. What keeps you from sharing them with more people who care about you?
5. What keeps you from turning them over to God?
6. What is the difference in making a U-Turn as the widow did in the story above and in being an optimist?
7. How is seeking God’s perspective more than simply looking for a silver lining?
8. Describe a time in your life where you experienced one of God’s miracles. In hindsight, could you see the steps or road signs discussed today?
9. Consider you greatest needs right now. What resources has God already blessed you with that He can begin to use right now?
10. Take stock of your life and don’t overlook the little bit of oil that may not have seemed directly related to your need.
11. May a list of the empty vessels in your life—people that you need to fill with your input, love, resources, and attention. Whose need seems most urgent?
12. Pray for God’s leading and look for a way to pour yourself into this person’s life this week.
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